Why president, chief justice are clashing over Supreme Court seat

President Lee Jae Myung and Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae have been in conflict for over a year, reaching a critical point in their dispute over the appointment of a Supreme Court justice. Cheong Wa Dae, the President's office, announced they would not submit a confirmation motion for Sohn Bong-ki, a nominee chosen by Chief Justice Cho from the Daegu District Court, and requested the chief justice to propose an alternative candidate.

Senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung emphasized that the authority to recommend and appoint justices is "assigned to different constitutional institutions," contending that Cho should honor the president's power of substantive appointment. The People Power Party, the main opposition group, contends that this stance undermines the chief justice's constitutional authority and jeopardizes judicial independence.

However, this dispute did not originate with Sohn's nomination. It traces back to a Supreme Court decision just weeks before the 2025 presidential election which left Lee's campaign in uncertainty. The underlying cause of this conflict began with the Supreme Court's ruling on March 26, 2025, when it acquitted Lee, who was then the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.